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Codebreaker

Net Neutrality react – there will be challenges to this plan

Larissa Anderson Dec 22, 2010

In a 3-2 vote, the FCC voted to adopt new rules about how broadband and wireless carriers treat web traffic and services. A lot of people are unhappy – Republicans say it’s too strict; Democrats and net neutrality advocates say it doesn’t go far enough. President Obama said:

“Today’s decision will help preserve the free and open nature of the Internet while encouraging innovation, protecting consumer choice, and defending free speech.”

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) said this during a floor speech:

“Fortunately, we’ll have an opportunity in the new Congress to push back against new rules and regulations.”

The most senior Republican in the House said that the “new House majority will work to reverse this unnecessary and harmful federal government power grab next year.”

How might they do that? It’s possible through the Congressional Review Act, which gives Congress 60 days to disapprove of the rule, but both chambers have to approve that disapproval, and the Republicans aren’t the majority party in the Senate.

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